Amherst vs. Villanova

Amherst College and Villanova University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Villanova University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 27%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1450.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $37,201 at Villanova.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Villanova 90%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Villanova $85,100 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Villanova University
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Amherst9%
Villanova27%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Villanova1395-1510
Average net price
Amherst $18,152 less
Amherst$19,049
Villanova$37,201
In-state tuition
Villanova $2,704 less
Amherst$70,480
Villanova$67,776
Out-of-state tuition
Villanova $2,704 less
Amherst$70,480
Villanova$67,776
Graduation rate
Amherst +6 pts
Amherst96%
Villanova90%
Median earnings (10 years)
Villanova +$3,100
Amherst$82,000
Villanova$85,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Villanova 23,256
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Villanova 6,274
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Villanova 27%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Villanova 27.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Villanova 1450
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Villanova 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Villanova 3.87
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Villanova A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Villanova Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Villanova High
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Villanova 1395-1510
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Villanova 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Villanova Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Villanova Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Villanova $67,776
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Villanova $67,776
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Villanova $17,694
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Villanova $37,201
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Villanova $47,609
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Villanova 48%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Villanova 90%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Villanova $85,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Villanova 90%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Villanova $26,497
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Villanova $273
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Villanova 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Villanova
    • Business (32%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Villanova Villanova, PA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Villanova Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Villanova 10,041
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Villanova Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Villanova #67

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Villanova University in Villanova, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Villanova University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (10,041 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Villanova University is in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Villanova University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Villanova University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Villanova University are 3.8% lower than at Amherst College ($17,694 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Amherst than at Villanova University (about $2,704 more per year; $70,480 vs. $67,776).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Villanova University (59% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 44.1% larger than aid received by Villanova University students ($68,591 vs. $47,609).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Amherst than at Villanova (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Villanova.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Villanova (3.87).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $13,522 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($12,975 vs. $26,497).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $139 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($134 vs. $273).
  • More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (90% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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